OUR VIEW: Historic preservationists deserve a chance to see if they can restore Powell School, which was damaged by fire in January

The future of Powell School looked bleak after a January fire practically destroyed the 123-year-old building, Birmingham's oldest school building.

Travelers Insurance told Mayor William Bell the fire so damaged the building it can't be saved. Thankfully, Bell didn't rush into demolishing the historic landmark. Now, the City Council will consider a proposal from Bell to turn Powell School over to the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation in a valiant effort to rescue the building.

Firefighters work to control a fire at Powell School in downtown Birmingham in January. (The Birmingham News / Mark Almond)

That's no sure thing, but it's a lot better than prospects were immediately following the fire, which consumed the school's roof and gutted the interior.

Give credit to Bell and to Sam Frazier, a board member of the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation and chairman of Birmingham's Design Review Committee.

Here's how Bell's plan will work: Powell School will be given to the Trust for Historic Preservation, along with nearly $500,000 as seed money for restoration efforts. The seed money comes from the insurance settlement on the property.

In turn, Frazier will have six months to stabilize the structure and come up with a viable plan, along with finding a developer. That's not a long time, but he believes he can do it.

If Frazier can't present the city with a workable restoration plan, the nearly $500,000 in insurance money will be used to demolish the building.

City leaders should be encouraged by Frazier's enthusiasm. Frazier said he's already had interest from potential redevelopers, but the insurance money won't be usable, Bell said, until "they can show a proper plan showing that the building can be saved."

Yes, it will cost much more than $500,000 to restore Powell Elementary, but a half-million dollars is a good start. Though the insurance company said the building couldn't be saved, Frazier, after getting a delay in the demolition from Bell, did his own analysis that showed it to be salvageable.

Last week, the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee sent the plan on to the full council, which will vote today whether to endorse the idea. Of course, the council should. It's an easy vote because the city has nothing to lose and one of its most prized historic buildings to save.

Remember, if the preservationists can't come up with a solid plan to save and restore the school, demolition will go forward using the insurance money. That would be a shame if there is any way Powell School can be resurrected.

No doubt, the temptation for city leaders was to go ahead and take the school down as quickly as possible. Fortunately, Bell intervened, Frazier stepped forward, and now Powell School -- if the City Council goes along -- may yet extend its 123-year life.